It is a common sight on the streets of Hyderabad to see men relieving themselves in public spaces. Even if there are public toilets, some men find it convenient to let go against a wall on the pavement. Pictures of gods and goddesses or lines written on the walls warning such men have very little effect; consequently pedestrians and passers-by continue to bear the brunt on a daily basis. The recent introduction of green and waterless urinals, promise to usher in some change in the city.
At the GHMC office near Liberty, a green kiosk attracts attention. As two wheelers and four wheelers buzz through the busy road, some stop at the kiosk and walk towards it, hesitantly. The kiosk is a green urinal, its ‘clean and green’ mantra promising to provide a green solution to the menace of urinating in public.
It was an idea floated by the Commissioner, GHMC, Somesh Kumar and Praveen Rao G. of the Ultimate Concepts started the initiative. Working on the zerodor technology which helps in it being waterless and odour less, the urinal is solar powered and the sensors trigger the exhaust. “The urinals require only 20 sft to get installed and save up to 1.51 lakh litres of water per year. It brings in a sea of change,” informs Venkatesh Tallam of Ultimate Concepts. A van dedicated to sanitise the units is also provided and the urinal is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
After the prototype was okayed, the company decided on ‘one area at a time’ and chose Masab tank to Kondapur X Roads to set up the urinals. They have come up at 20 locations and, as a pilot project, seven have started functioning. Did the company install these urinals at areas which are considered ‘posh’? “We had to start somewhere and make a beginning. The area near Jubilee Hills Check post or the open land near Shangrilla Plaza in Banjara Hills is a big nuisance as people stop their vehicles and urinate in public. We will slowly expand to other areas,” says Venkatesh.
Say green urinals and one is instantly reminded of such kiosks erected in Delhi for the Commonwealth Games. There were reports that these urinals were badly maintained but the company pocketed the advertisement money. Venkatesh agrees maintenance will be a challenge but believes the company can handle it since they are from the catering industry. “We understand the constraints. This is the biggest initiative taken up in terms of public-private partnership. Cleaning is a big challenge and we should be able to sustain the project too,” he says. Communicating the concept and raising awareness among public is also an issue, says Venkatesh. “There has been a positive feedback but a lot more information and understanding is needed among general public,” he says.
The company plans to have one urinal for every 500 metres and one dedicated cleaning van for one unit which includes 10 urinals. Finally, can such green urinals be planned for women? “The urinals for men are completely unmanned. But when it comes to women, security will be an issue. We have to look into all those things.”
